While walking around the activities area for Super Bowl XL this weekend, make sure to stop off at the KidZone ? you just might see some familiar faces hanging around the second booth on the right.
Show Offs Body Art, owned by Independence Township resident Donna Nowak, received the 2006 Super Bowl face-painting contract. Nowak said she was confident when she applied for the bid, but blown away when the selection was made.
‘My first thoughts were, ‘What do I do ? help! They called me!? joked Nowak. ‘After that, I realized they were not in the know for this type of artwork and I had to teach them.?
Nowak is contracted through a California-based party planning company. She learned about the Super Bowl gig from girlfriend Chris Belisario, a Waterford resident who bid for the job herself.
Nowak said organizers originally asked for traditional ‘brush and sponge? face painting. Nowak contacted the company and explained how airbrushed face art is faster and more economical. In the end, she placed three different bids.
‘They asked for one, I gave them three,? said Nowak. ‘That’s the point. If you’re going to do it, do it big.
‘After I placed the bid, they contacted me about a possible fourth option and we made the arrangements.?
Nowak is contracted for the entire event, Jan. 1-5, and is taking seven staff members: Kelly Hyer, Springfield Township; Wendy Fisher, Maryland; Jennifer Cain, Highland Township; Melissa Z.; and Alicia and Alivia Lawson, Springfield Township. The women will provide full and partial face painting as well as ‘lick and stick? tattoos.
‘The part I’m looking forward to the most is the smiles on the kids? faces ? and the parents,? said Nowak.
‘The best part though is just being a part of our big Detroit event. The country girl is going big city now.?
And the big time is certainly a new high for this one-time computer programmer.
Nowak said she has always been an artist.
‘I’ve been drawing murals on walls since I was in the crib,? she said. ‘I’ve always loved art and been drawn to it.?
Nowak worked with computers until the birth of her second child. Not long after retiring from computer program, Nowak said she was drawn back to her art.
About nine years ago, she became a self-taught body artist.
‘I started doing full faces without knowing how to do full faces,? remembers Nowak. ‘I went out and learned air brushing from my biker friends (motorcycle paint artists).?
Nowak started her business small, doing face painting at schools, sidewalk sales and art shows. Today, she annually attends Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the International Face and Body Painting convention in Orlando and has even done private events for Daimler-Chrysler and the then Governor-elect Jennifer Granholm.
In addition, Nowak teaches her art at clinics, writes a regular column for ‘Face And Body Art? and published her own instructional DVD which has sold on five continents and is distributed through many tattoo and make-up companies. She also speaks at schools about entrepreneurship.
‘I like to reinvent, I like to teach,? said Nowak. ‘This is my way to give back to the kids of today. I can make those children feel special. My talent is people.
‘I believe you must lead by example. People can talk. I want to see it. I’m always telling people: do what you love, love what you do.?
Show Offs Body Art employs between four to eight artists at any one time. Nowak said she has painters ranging in age from 14 to 40.
‘You need to be approachable, fun and like people,? said Nowak. ‘And you better not mind being a ham. We like to ‘Show Off.?
‘I’m finding that face painting is coming back even for adults again, because adults are learning to have fun again? It’s never too late to get painted up and have fun. People are starting to act like kids again, and that’s good. We need to always make it fun.?
For more information on Show Offs Body Art, log on to www.showoffsbodyart.com or call 248-933-4923. Nowak provides airbrushed face/body painting, airbrushed temporary tattoos, glamour make-up, costume make-up, living statues and FX make-up.
Oh, and just in case anyone is curious, Nowak is routing for the Seahawks.
‘I always cheer for the underdog because there’s always a chance,? she laughed. ‘I believe in magic.?